Faraguna Siniša, Milinković Tur Suzana, Sobočanec Sandra, Pinterić Marija, Belić Maja
Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Apr 23;15(9):1203. doi: 10.3390/ani15091203.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are natural by-products of cellular metabolism and are also formed in response to environmental stressors such as pollution, extreme temperatures, and ultraviolet radiation exposure. Physiological factors such as intense activity, growth, reproduction, nutrient deficiency, captivity, and disease also contribute to ROS production. While ROS, including free radicals, play a key role in cell physiology, including immune defense, their excessive accumulation can damage cellular components and cause oxidative stress when antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed. To regulate ROS levels, wild birds rely on enzymatic (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (e.g., vitamins C and E, carotenoids). Oxidative stress affects important aspects of wild bird biology, including health, reproduction, and survival, and is closely linked to overall fitness. It is also linked to physiological challenges such as migration and the progression of various diseases affecting wild bird populations. The study of oxidative stress in wild birds requires the use of appropriate biomarkers to assess its role in disease development. A deeper understanding of the balance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses is essential to determine how wild birds cope with environmental and physiological challenges. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of oxidative stress in wild birds and the role of antioxidants in maintaining health and promoting longevity in wild bird populations.
活性氧（ROS）是细胞代谢的天然副产物，也会因污染、极端温度和紫外线辐射等环境应激源而产生。剧烈活动、生长、繁殖、营养缺乏、圈养和疾病等生理因素也会导致ROS的产生。虽然包括自由基在内的ROS在细胞生理过程中发挥关键作用，包括免疫防御，但当抗氧化防御能力不堪重负时，它们的过度积累会损害细胞成分并导致氧化应激。为了调节ROS水平，野生鸟类依靠酶促抗氧化剂（如过氧化氢酶、超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶）和非酶促抗氧化剂（如维生素C和E、类胡萝卜素）。氧化应激影响野生鸟类生物学的重要方面，包括健康、繁殖和生存，并且与整体健康状况密切相关。它还与诸如迁徙以及影响野生鸟类种群的各种疾病的进展等生理挑战有关。对野生鸟类氧化应激的研究需要使用适当的生物标志物来评估其在疾病发展中的作用。深入了解ROS产生与抗氧化防御之间的平衡对于确定野生鸟类如何应对环境和生理挑战至关重要。在这篇综述中，我们总结了野生鸟类氧化应激的机制以及抗氧化剂在维持野生鸟类种群健康和促进长寿方面的作用。
